Impact of Choice and Integration of Tsetse Fly and Trypanosomiasis Control Methods on Household Income in Lamu County, Kenya

Abstract

The farm households in Lamu County had participated in the control of tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis using insecticide treated livestock, insecticide treated targets and trypanocidal drugs. However, the methods that households chose, the factors influencing the choices made as well as the level of integration of different methods were not known. The impact of the control of tsetse flies and the disease on household income had not been estimated which made it necessary to carry out this study. The specific objectives of the study were: (1) To assess the factors that influence choice and integration of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control methods among livestock farmers in Lamu County; (2) To determine the effect of integration level of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control methods on livestock herd structure in Lamu County and (3) To determine the impact of multiple application of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control methods on household income among livestock farmers in Lamu County. The study applied quasi-experimental research design with treatment and control groups of household constructed from a sample size of 536 livestock rearing households from Lamu East and Lamu West sub-Counties. A total of 328 households were users of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control methods and 208 were non-users. A multivariate probit model was used in objective one and results showed that household social and economic factors including age, sex, education, occupation, off-farm income, land and livestock ownership had significant influence on choice of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control methods. Technological attributes including availability, cost and effectiveness of technology also had significant influence on choice of insecticide treated targets and trypanocidal drugs. A multivariate tobit regression model was used in objective two and results showed that the level of integration of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control methods positively affected the herd structures for cattle and donkeys v but negatively affected the herd structures for sheep and goats. Lastly, endogenous switching regression model was used in objective three and the results showed that users of insecticide treated livestock had an annual earning of KES 10,200 more than non-users but would have earned KES 21,400 had they not used the method. Users of insecticide treated targets earned KES 31,300 more than non-users and KES 46,600 less had they not used the method. The trypanocidal drug users earned KES 50,900 more than non-users. The users would have earned KES 27,300 more had they not used trypanocidal drugs. Households which combined insecticide treated livestock and trypanocidal drugs earned KES 20,900 more than non-users but users would have earned KES 22,700 had they not decided to use. Users who integrated the three methods earned KES 121,200 more than non-users, but would have earned KES 58,300 less had they not used. In conclusion, the study has shown that household socio-economic characteristics and technological attributes were the major factors that influenced the choice of tsetse and trypanosomiasis control methods. The level of integration of the three methods of control improved the herd composition and structure of cattle and donkeys as a pathway to possible increase in household income. This study has demonstrated that the control of tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis in Lamu County had a positive impact on household income and that the effects of the control varied depending on the method or combination of methods used. The study recommends that the national institutions and devolved units of government designs farmer outreach programs that take into consideration key household social and economic characteristics as well as technological attributes which may stimulate adoption of appropriate tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control technologies for increased household income.